Posted on October 4, 2024 by Academic Innovation
In a world of rapid change and technological advancements, how can we prepare for what's next?
Can credentials help ease uncertainty?
In recent years, the word ‘uncertainty’ seems to have taken center stage. With rapid technological advancements and global shifts, we’re living in an era where things are moving faster than ever before, accelerating change in nearly every aspect of life.
I thought about that a lot at Convergence this week. A question that kept coming up was: How do we prepare for what’s next when we don’t know what’s coming?
It mirrors the concerns I hear daily from local employers, community leaders and even friends and family.
As we navigate this uncertainty, I often reflect on something Vice Provost Melissa Vito reminds the UTSA Academic Innovation division: When confronted with a lot of change, a lot of people want certainty – which is nearly always impossible to deliver. Instead, how can we make people feel empowered, excited, and curious to discover a way forward?
This is a challenge that spans industries, personal lives, and professional growth. And that’s where UTSA Professional and Continuing Education (PaCE) programs come into play. Our courses and credentials aren’t massive investments of time or money—they’re targeted, practical and designed to help working professionals upskill without disrupting their family or career commitments. It’s just one of the reasons why more than 7,000 students participated in our programs last year.
The key to navigating this new reality is trust. Trust in the quality of education, trust in the relationships we build and trust in the community we serve. I’m proud to be part of a city like San Antonio, where UTSA is deeply integrated into the local fabric. We don’t just talk about supporting our neighbors—we live it. From our longstanding partnerships with local businesses to the multigenerational connections we’ve nurtured at UTSA Southwest, we see the impact of these relationships every day.
Things are moving fast, but thanks to our community ties, we can stay ahead of the curve. And when we can’t, we rely on our network of partners to help us figure it out. Technology may be changing how we work, but it hasn’t diminished the value of meaningful relationships with our learners and partners. And it certainly hasn’t slowed down the drive of our students, who are more determined than ever to push forward in their careers - in fact, our corporate program enrollment grew by 47% last year!
We’ve recently launched the Corporate Connection webpage to help even more organizations and individuals in San Antonio discover how continuing education can benefit them and the broader community. Together, we are building a more resilient, skilled and innovative future.
PaCE helps San Antonio prepare and keep talented employees
Discover how UTSA PaCE supported a long-standing San Antonio business in preparing its employees with the practical skills and collaborative strategies that boosted morale and strengthened team dynamics.
Melissa Mahan is the Associate Vice Provost of Academic Innovation for Professional and Continuing Education (PaCE). Connect with Melissa on LinkedIn.
— Academic Innovation
